Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V2 Assiaya, Chapter 10

"Minutemen HQ, this is Captain Alejandro, Bravo Company, 5th Rangers. We have successfully breached the Aristocracy perimeter. They were building fortifications that oversaw the riverside and bridge. We discovered multiple ballistas, and my squads believed the enemy was setting up entrenchments; we thought they were for short-range artillery against the City.

Our mortar attacks proved ineffective against the enemy amplifiers, which deployed an energy bubble around the outpost. We discovered that the barriers have a limited deployment time, but we could not exploit them.

It took three assaults against the enemy fortifications, requiring a short barrage from two Ivy Lancers, before we took the outpost. However, the enemy managed to execute an organized retreat, which was covered by light artillery fire.

Ivy 4th Battalion has been advancing into the forest through the breach. According to radio chatter, they have contacted the enemy within the forest. We are holding position until the Engineers arrive to establish a FOB." – Captain Alejandro, Bravo Company, 5th Rangers

March, 12th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

Forest of Induie, Verliance Aristocracy

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Staring at the crackling campfire, Assiaya watched as the orange and red flames danced between each other. The campfire was small, like the ones she had grown used to in the many castles she had served in because of the lack of dry wood; however, she enjoyed any warmth compared to being outside in the rain. For the first time since they escaped, there was no one chasing them, no weapons firing at them, and no need to keep moving. She could finally sit still and breathe.

Most of her and Ryder's clothing was laid on the ground next to the fire to dry off, and both had eaten enough to remain decent. For once, neither of them had to worry about saving every bite for the next few minutes.

"Are you still glad that we left?"

"I do not know," Assiaya said. "I did not know that it would be this hard. I am freezing."

"This trip was also not what I had expected. Those Adventurers were trying to kill us. I always thought they were there to help the common folk."

"We are not commonfolk," Assiaya said. "We were slaves, remember? We have never been part of the free folk."

"If this is freedom, then I do not know what slavery is. I do wonder when that Man is going to attack you. You should stay awake."

Assiaya glanced toward the Altaerrie man, who was busy repairing his strange armor, scattered around into smaller sections. With her limited time with him, everything about him and his equipment was very alien compared to what she was used to.

However, she had yet to feel unsafe or threatened by him, unlike Ere-hian, who terrified her. Nor Kallem, her formal master. While the Vampire Lord never touched her, as many expected a powerful man with his status to, that did not mean she didn't fear him. He was always cold in his mannerisms. However, Ryder, to this point, had been different. When he killed the Neko, the Altaerrie man gave her all the clothing and prioritized her thirst and hunger before his own. If he were evil, he wouldn't have done that.